Mission and objectivesThe Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly. UNHCR provides protection and assistance to refugees worldwide. UNHCR currently works in more than 120 countries and helps over 43 million people worldwide; refugees or those uprooted within their own countries. The UN Refugee Agency also cares for asylum seekers, returnees, and stateless persons. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
ContextThis UNV assignment is part of UNHCR play area volunteer. Approximately 1,000 refugees approach Amman Khalda Registration Centre daily and require support on age, gender, and diversity lenses in line with UNHCRโs policy on Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) and Accountability to Affected People (AAP). The office's setup is designed to cater for the diverse needs of refugees coming for registration, resettlement, Refugee Status Determination (RSD) and other protection interviews. Recognizing the importance of play in a child's growth and development and to further address the challenge concerning taking care of the children accompanying their parents for interviews, a child friendly play area was established for children to engage in play and different activities. The play area is not only a source of enjoyment but also serves as a secure and protected space for the children, instilling a feeling of safety amidst their challenging circumstances. By continually evolving and investing in the play area improvements, UNHCR demonstrates its dedication to promoting the children's happiness, development, and emotional well-being. Availability that his/her likeness appears on media, social media, photos and videos as it will be impossible for UNHCR to prevent such appearances on the public or external occasion s/he will interpret. S/He will need to understand that her/his picture will possibly be seen on the internet. Establishing the play area volunteer assignment is aiming to: 1. To provide engaging and age-appropriate entertainment for children aged 3-13 years, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. 2. To ensure a seamless and confidential experience for parents by providing a conducive setting for private interviews, free from any disturbances or interruptions. 3. To implement comprehensive safety measures and address any potential protection concerns. 4. To enable parents to fully engage in and benefit from the intended services without the burden of childcare concerns, offering a safe and supervised space for their children during their visit. Additional information: UN Community Volunteers (Part-time) in Jordan are entitled to: โข Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 229.01; โข Annual and learning leaves; โข Free Medical and life insurance; and โข Free access to different learning platforms. For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Registration Associate in the Registration team, the UN Volunteer will: โข Share any misinformation, or tendencies among the community of refugees/asylum seekers. โข Offer support and a warm welcome to all children who are visiting the UNHCR Amman Country Office. Set up play areas and make sure they are safe and secure day by day. โข Lead games and supervise children. โข Talk to children about their worries. โข Build positive relationships with children, parents, careers, and professionals. โข Deal with injuries and emergencies if needed.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Creativity โข Judgement and decision-making โข Planning and organising โข Professionalism โข Self-management
Living conditions and remarksAmman, the capital, is a peaceful city with over four million residents. People are friendly to visitors. Banking, transportation, health, and communications services are easily available. Though Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken among the majority of the population, especially in Amman. The road network is good in terms of the spread and quality of the roads. Public transportation in Amman is limited. Taxis are relatively cheap and easily available. There are many shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found; however, it is worth noting that prices in Amman have generally increased in the past few years. There are no specific security threats. Amman is a very easy city in which to live; large, has many amenities, is very modern, and is serviced by an international airport with direct flights to most capital cities. According to the UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) assessment, Jordan is a family duty station (category A hardship). The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.